Liquid level indicator



Api-il 19, 1932. H. LUNDQUlsT LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Feb. 23, 1922 Patented Apr. i9, 1932 UNITED STATES' PATE HANS LUNDQUIST, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITE STATES SIE.'EICIZAL'I[Yv NT OFFICE'- CORPORATION, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR Application mea, February as, i922. serial no. 538,784.

This invention relates to liquid level indicators, and more particularly pertains to an l improved indicator for use on motor vehicles vfor indicating the' level of liquid fuel in the main supply tank.

While this invention, for the purposes of convenience, is illustrated as a fuel level indicator, and is described as such, it Will be obvious that it finds a wide field of utility for other purposes.

The principal objects and advantages which characterize this invention are: The provision of improved means for accurately` indicating at a convenient point the level of liquid in a tank situated at a more remote oint' the rovision of means for insurin accurate response to material changes in liquid level, but which does not readily respond to changes dile to vibration; the provision of improved meanswhereby an indicator of the character referredl to may, be readily adjusted to proper calibration upon installation inorder to assure accuracy; the provision of means for balancing the indicator to providefor smooth and even operation; the provision of a device -of the Acharacter described whichis of an improved unit construction and may be readily installed onI any standard fuel tank; and the `provision of a device of the character referred to which 'is simple and compact, eilicientin operation, and capable of manufacture at-low cost.

It is further an object of this invention to provide an improved level indicating mechanism comprising, in its preferred embodiment, a revolving indicator element and a yieldingly resistant element and weight for balancing said indicator, so `that its operation by theluid level actuated means will be even and well balanced.

The foregoing and such other objects and advantages as maybe pointed out or appear asVthis description proceeds are attained in the embodiment illustrated in theaccompanyingdrawings,` in which: I

Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the device of this Iinvention assembled for operation.

`Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional tional view of a detail Figurey 1, lookinginfthe vdirection indicatedl View taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is van enlarged longitudinal sectaken on line 3 8 of by the arrows.

Figuresl 4 and 5 views of details.

are enlarged perspective Referring more particularly tothe draw.

ings, the indicator is designated 5 in its entirety and is mounted on the inclined portion 6 of the dash (not shown). tank 7 is provided with an opening 8 b which the tank may be filled with liquid fue and a cap 9 fits on a flange 10 about said opening, said ,cap carrying.' the liquid level y actuated device, designated 11 in its entirety.

A fuel supply l Motion transmission means generally desigp nated 12 serves to operatively connect the indicator and adjusting element generally designated 13 b eing placed in said transmission means.

level actuated mechanism, anV

The indicator, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

comprises a cylindrical casing 14, placedin an opening 1'5 in the portion 6, and provided at one end with an external annular flange 16, by which said casing may be 4fixedly se,- cured. The front .end of the casing 14 is provided with an internal annular flange 17, on which is peripherally seated a lclosin disk 18, retained by a clamping ring 19, sai disk having a rectangular central opening '20' through which the indicator elementlmay seen. The rear wall 21 of the casino* is removable and it is upon `this wall that the indicating mechanism is Supported in its entirety. This rear wall 2 1 is removably secured by nuts 22 which thread onto the -exposed ends of bolts 23 Wall 21, near its periphery, said bolts iixedly'mountedin lugs 24, formed, onthe inner surface ofthe peripheral wall of the casing.

which pass throu h the ing The indicating mechanism preferabl com- 'I prises 'a revoluble drum 25, having a cy indrical flange 26, on the external face of which are placed numerals 27 in proper sequence.'

The drum 25 is axial shaft 28, froml the ends of which project integral trunnions 29 and 30, the trunprovided with an integral 52 preferably being of relatively a short tube 57 depending i so ' the channel guide,

v tive jacket 55.

lfloat 64C is mounted pivotally 39 affixed 1n an opening 46 near the outer end osaid extension. A segmental pulley 4l is oscillatable upon the shalt 39, and said pulley carries with it a segmental gear l2, which meshes with a pinion t3 ixedly mounted upon the projecting end ol the trunnion 30, the pulley being suciently spaced from the bracket 34 to permit of 'accommodation of the gear and pinion. rllne outer end of the shaft 39 is provided with an enlargement 4t for preventing displacement ol the pulley.

'lhe pulley il is provided with a radial extension l5 opposite to the groove 46 of the pulley, and a contractile helical spring l? has one end attached to said extension and the other end aixed to the Wall As shown in Figs. l and t, theextension l5 carries a laterally inwardly projecting pin 4:8 for engagement with one or the other oit a pair oil seats 49 on the Vend of the extension 38, for confining the-movement ol the pulley Within certain limits. A short length or cable 59 is ixed at 5l on the pulley and #said cable is adapted to line in the groove oil the pulley.

Motion is imparted to the pulley through a dexible cable52, detachably .connected at 53 with the short length oil cable 50, said cable stid yet flexible Wire and lying fairly snugly in a exible transmission tube 5d of coiled Wire, which tube 5l '1s provided with a duid tight protecl 'lhe tube 5l and jacket 55 are lixedly'connected to an elbow 56, which latter is secured `in the top oil the cap 9,

guiding the Wire 52.

rlhe liquid level actuated mechanism com- 'pri-ses a channel guide 58, depending Afrom the cap 9, saidchannel supportingvand retaining a rack-bar ment, the upper end of said rack being connected to the wire 52. 'lhe rack bar isretained against displacement .bya segmental gear 60 which' meshes with the rack, and is revolubly mounted in a. bearing 6l formed integrally with the channel guide, lugs 62, one on each side of the rack-bar and struck from also serving for assisting in retention of the rack. An arm 63 extends radially from the segmental gear 60 and a on the free end of said arm. The provision of the pivot for trom the cap for 59 for vertical sliding movei nee-ease the oat insuresaccurate indication ot the liquid level, because the float, being somewhat elongated and lying transversely of the arm 63, will therefore maintain an even horizontal disposition on the surface ot the liquid. lt Will be readily seen that upon material va riations in the liquid level in the tank 7, the idoat will rise or tall, and thus impart, through the cable 52, an oscillating movement to the pulley lll, and in turn a rotaryV movement to the indicator drum 2,5, the 1ndicia 'on the drum ange being yexposed to view through the opening 20 in the casing Wall i8. 'lhe Weight of the spring di? cooperate to counter-balance the device, and prevent undue vibration, as Well as insuring the accurate response of the same to changes in liquid levelc ll have provided means for varying the stroke of the transmission element, or in other pulley and the Words, for altering the calibration of the inj dicator, and consequently its position relative to the float, when the device has been installed, so that the extremities of movement of the indicator drum Will agree With those ot the float, as variable due to diderent sizes ot tanks or other conditions. device accomplishes this result through predetermined limits by varying,

in edect, the

Vlength of the transmission tubing 54C and jacket 55.

lt will be observed that in the provision of the above mentioned adjusting means and its connection to the housing for the indicator, and' in the connection of the device to the tank, the Whole indicator and its associated mechanism, the communicating means, and the connections thereof are rendered substantially air-tight. 'lhat is, no gasoline' fumes are allowed to escape from the tank to the interior of the automobile via the indicator. 'lhe Wire transmitting member 52 tits quite snugly in the casing and Will in itself, tend to prevent the escape of fumes and thefact that aglass is placed over; the front of the indicator .housing will prevent any fumes reaching the interior ofthe automobile.

'llhe element for performing the function of adjustment of the transmission element preferably lcomprises a tube 65, relatively large in diameter, and having one end reduced at 66 and swaged into an yopening in the rear Wall 2l of the casing 14. The cable 56 enters the tube 65 and is connected, as previously described, with the cable '52. The tube is externally threaded to receive an in-v ternally threaded sleeve 67, which is adjustable on said tube, the end of said sleeve near the Wall 21, abutting a lock nut 68. The outer end of the sleeve 65 is provided with an internal annular shoulder 69 which a'buts an annular head 70 formed on the inner end of a nipple 71, said nipple being externally threaded to rece1ve a lock nut 72. which latter abuts the outer end of the sleeve 67. The jacket 55 rlhis adjusting impart rotation to the indicator member 26.

rIhis change in the positionl of the indicator permits of the final adjustment of the indicator with respect to the float, so that the p0- sition of the latter and that of the indicator may be made to coincide for rendering a proper signal. The nuts 68 and 72 are loosened away from the sleeve, and the latter turned until the desired adjustment is made, whereupon the nuts 68 and 72 are again tightened and the adjustment sustained. The link connection 53 permits of disconnection of the cable 52 When it is desired to pack and ship the device. The adjustment described is ordinarily made, of course, while installing this' invention, but may be made at anyA time desired, such as in the event that the cable becomes stretched, or'any other cause may effect a change in the length of the cable. Thus adjustment is had without interruption of the continuity of the cable 52, and Without disassembly of any of the parts of the device.

lVhile a specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated, .it will be understood that minor alterations in the details may be made Within the spirit oi this invention and scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, in combination, a liquid level indicating A.mechanism including a revolving indica-tor element, .a bala-nce Weight angularly displaceable on,aJ separate axis and connected to said indicator element, spring means acting on said Weight and a float actuated element for operatingsaid indicating mechanism. i

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a Huid level indicating mechanismcomprising a revolving indicator element and a Weight operativelyr connected thereto, a float actuated element adjustably operatively connected with said n'lecha-nism, and yieldingly resistant means connected with and tending to restrain movement of said Weight in one direction.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a tank adapted to contain liquid to a predetermined level, float mechanism in said tank, an indicator remote from said tank, a continuous motion transmission means iixcdly connected tosaid `float .nicchanism and indicator, and means for varying the distance between said mechanism and indicator for moving the latter Without disturbing the continuity or length of said motion transmissionl means and means in engagement with the means for varying the distance for locking said means and thereby holding said float mechanism and indicator in predetermined adjustment.

4. Ina device ofthe character described, in combination, a liquid level indicating mechanism including a revolving indicator element, a balance iveight angularly displaceablc on a separate axis and connected to said indicator element, and a float actuated element connected directly to said Weight for operating said indicating mechanism. y

5. Ina liquid level indicator, a revolving indicating element, an oscillating element independent of said indicating element and for 'actuating the latter and a spring restrained counterbalancing Weight mounted directly upon said oscillating element.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination', a tank adapted to contain liquid to a predetermined level, level responsive means in said tank, an indicator remote from the tank and comprising a revolving element, an oscillatable element operatively connected to said revolving element, and also connected to said level responsive means, and means Jfor varying the latter connection.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a tank adapted to contain liquid to a predetermined'level, level responsive means in said tank, an indicator remote from the tank and comprising a revolving element, an oscillatable element operatively connected to said revolving element, a fleX- ible cablev connecting said scillatable element and level responsive means, a conduit for said cable, and vmeans for varying the length of said conduit.

8. In an indicator, arevoluble element carrying sequential indicia, an o.' .`ting Weight operatively connected With lsaid revoluble element, and yieldingly resistant means connected with said oscillating Weight.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, an 'indicating mechanism, comprising a revolving indicator, a Weight connected to said indicator for normally tending to maintainsaid indicator in a predetermined position, a liquid level actuated means operatively connected With said mechanism, and yieldingly resistant means connected with and tending to restrain movement of said Weight.

10. In a device of the character described in combination, an indicating mechanism, comprising a revolving indicator and a halance Weight for normally tending to maintain said indicator` in a predetermined positio-n, liquid level responsive means, motion transmitting means operatively connecting said mechanism and liquid level responsive means, a conduit for said motion transmitting means, and means for varying the length of said conduit.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving indicator, an .actuating element, a cable positively connecting said indicator and actuating element, means for maintaining said cable under tension including a weight acting on said indicator and in a direction with said actuating element and a spring acting von said indicator in a direction counter to said actuating element.

12. In a device of the character de in combination, a revolving indicator, an actuating element, a cable positively connecting said indicator and actuating element, means for maintaining said cable under tension in c-luding a weight acting on said indicator and in a direction with said actuating` clement and a spring connected to said weight and acting on said indicator in a. direction counter to said actuating element.

13. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving indicator, an actuating element, a cable positively connecting said indicator and actuating element, means for maintaining said cable under tension iiicluding a-weight acting on said indicator and in a direction with said actuating element and a spring actin-g on said indicator in a direction counter to said actuating element, and means for varying the initial position of said indicator.

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a revolving indicator, an actuating element, a cable positively connecting` said indicator, ai d actuating element, means for maintaining said cable under tension including a Weight acting on said indicator to increase thel reading thereof and in a direction with said actuating element and a spring acting on said indicator to decrease the reading thereof and in a direction counter to said actuating element, the force exerted by said spring tending to exceed that exerted by the weight so as to render a Zero reading if said cable or actuating element are disconnected.

15. In combination, an indicator consisting of a revoliible member for indicating given quantities, means therebetween, said connecting means including a flexible member, means for maintaining said flexible member under tension, a casing therefor, and means for varying the relative lengths of the connecting means and casing between the indicator and actuator whereby perfect registration is obtained on i the indicator.

16. In combination, an actuator, an indiH cator, a communicating means between said actuator and indicator and including a flexible member, means for maintaining said fleX ible member taut, means to protect the communicating means between the actuator and the indicator, and means to adjust the relative cribed,r

an actuator, and connectingl lengths of the communicating means and the protecting covering therefor to edect the adjustment of the indicator.

17. In combination, an indicator and an actuator a yielding flexible connecting means therebetween, comprising a single flexible member and a flexible spiral casing, the first mentioned member being adapted to pass freely within said casing, a second spiral fleX- ible casing surrounding the first mentioned casing, and adapted to be clamped thereto and means mounted adjacent to and acting on the indicator to maintain the 'flexible member taut.

18. In combination with an indicator, a float, and an actuating cable connecting said float and indicator, of a conduit inclosing said cable, and means for adjusting said conduit comprising nipples connected, respectively, to said indicator and conduit, a sleeve having connection with one of said nipples, and a lock nut forming connection between said sleeve and the other of said nipples.

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature.

HANS LUNDQUIST. 

